SMEC - Plymouth Voyager

Is this a 3.0 or 3.3? If you are going to replace the module it is easy to do and you dont need any special equipment. Normally the coil would damage the module if a plug or wire was arching and left unattended

Your van hasn't got a SMEC, it's got an SBEC. The SBEC is extremely dependable and seldom fails; it is probably NOT causing your problem. And Code 43 doesn't indicate a problem with your SBEC, it indicates a cylinder misfire.

Probably because you didn't replace the rest of the secondary system *at the same time* (cables, spark plugs and, if applicable, cap and rotor).

Waste of money unless/until you have tested it and it is *known* to be bad.

No, you can do it, but it almost certainly won't fix your problem.

No.

Yes: Test and diagnose, don't just throw parts at the problem.

DS

I've checked and cleaned the plugs. They all looked good and are fairly new. I did a visual and resistance check on the wires. I didn't see any damage and resistance is within the acceptable range.

-- Christian

What's the difference between a SMEC and an SBEC?

Also, I see that Fault Code 43 can be either a problem with the coil or a cylinder misfire, as you stated. I gather the code indicates one thng for certain years and something different for other years? (I might need to find a better reference book.)

The plugs are fairly new. I did clean and regap them but they were in excellent condition. As there are no cap and rotor, that leaves the plug wires. Visually, I don't see that they are damaged and their resistance tests within the acceptable range.Would you still recommend replacing them?

What's the method to test it?

Thanks for the advice.

-- Christian

SMEC: Single Module Engine Controller, has a 60-pin and a 14-pin connector and multiple circuit boards inside. Used through 1989.

SBEC: Single Board Engine Controller, has a 60-pin connector and only one circuit board inside.

Requires a scan tool.

Yep.

A very common cause of persistent misfire is as follows:

Misfire occurs due to secondary voltage leak down spark plug insulator to ground. First component replaced is spark plugs, but plug wire boots have also been affected, so affected plug boots continue to allow voltage leakage. Misfire persists, so spark plug wires are replaced, but plugs are left alone since they were just replaced. But, faulty plug boots caused leakage path on plug insulators. Back and forth and back and forth. Often a persistent misfire of this nature will go away when plugs AND wires are replaced at the same time.

DS

You have carbon tracking on the spark plugs and plug wire boots as Daniel has described.

Go buy 4 new spark plugs and a quality set of spark plug wires, install them, throw the spark plugs and the wires in the trash, even though they look okay, they're not.

Aw, I donno, maybe he installed the wrong brand of spark plug, which caused his logic module to change the ignition timing! ;-)

Yeah that's probably it. I knew I should have never used foreign plugs on a domestic car! {:oP

-- Christian

Which foreign plug did you use?

Didn't he claim it was the power module?

He probably claimed as follows:

if u INSTALLL THE RONG SPARK PLUG'S ONLY USE CHAMPION'S THEN THE TIMING WILL CHANGE IN THE LOJIK MODJUL

Actually, that was a bit tongue-in-cheek.

I was using NGK. As part of a tune-up the dealer changed them to Champion when I took it in for service.

-- Christian

Seems like I would remember that...

-- Christian

Nothing wrong with NGKs in a Chrysler as long as they're the correct heat range.

Daniel is referring to someone else's comments from a different thread...

Naw, don't pay any heed, I was mocking someone else from a different thread. Nothing to do with your van.

Do yourself a favor and change back to NGKs.

I've always had good luck with them. Probably will change back.

-- Christian

Yeah, I figured that out after I posted.

-- Christian